Working with Academic Advisors
to Prepare International Students
for Success
Presented by:
Laura Masterson, Academic Advisor
Asha McCauley, Academic Advisor
Jennifer Nisevich, International Student Advisor
Agenda
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Discussion
Background
Advisor Feedback
Student Feedback
In our experience…
Recommendations
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What do you think are the biggest
concerns of academic advisors when
working with international students?
The International Scene at IUPUI
• 1,364 international students on campus Fall
2010
• Enrollment increase of nearly 48% between
2001-2002 and 2010-2011
• China, India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia are
the top 3 countries sending students to IUPUI
• Engineering and Technology, Business, Science,
and University College host the largest number
of undergraduate international students at
IUPUI
Our Research
• How we got started
• Student focus groups and advisor survey
– Comparison of international students’
perceptions of academic advising and related
support services with academic advisors’
perceptions
• Ongoing working relationship between
academic advisors and international
student advisors
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Reported advisor challenges when working with
international students
ADVISOR FEEDBACK
Results from Advisor Survey
• Demographics
– Faculty advisors and staff advisors (N=55)
– Advisors in 11 academic schools across campus
• Strong interest in understanding student needs
• Increase in international student advising, mostly in
University College
• Increased comfort level advising international students
• Three areas of focus:
– Specific questions or concerns
– Services and resources university should provide for
international students
– Training and support for advisors
Specific Questions or Concerns
N=31
Transfer Credit
Evaluation/Process
N
9
Placement and
Course Selection
8
Understanding
Policies
7
Sample Responses
“Transfer credit is unclear to all – students and staff”
“My problems are with interpreting their credits and
making exceptions”
“Too many international students think the math
placement test places them too low. And that they
know more math than American students with same
background. However, my experience is that when
the math placement test is over-ridden, the students
hit a brick wall at midterm time”
“When they arrive just before classes start they barely
have time to get their placement testing done and
finding open courses that are appropriate for them
can be very challenging”
“OIA and U.S. policies for international students”
“I am unsure of many of the policies and procedures
across the university pertaining to international
students”
Services and Resources University Should Provide for
International Students
N=29
N
Resources and Access to
Daily Living Needs
10
More Specialized
Advising Assistance
6
Language Support
5
Sample Responses
“Contacts for safe and affordable housing and
transportation”
“Additional campus housing and
transportation services are desperately needed.
Students also need to know how to obtain
medical care at a reasonable cost”
“More advisors in Office of International
Affairs”
“Academic advisors that focus on international
student…especially transfers”
“Strong EAP program and writing support”
“ESL for other purposes besides academic
ones”
Training and Support for Advisors
N=27
N
Sample Responses
“Training on how to interact with international
Professional
students”
9
Development/Training
“I could probably use international student
etiquette and advising 101”
Up-to-date information on
“Updates or any changes to international policies”
6
Policies
“More information on different types of Visas”
“I would like to see OIA working more closely with
Increased Role of the
UC, to be partners, in serving our students”
Office of International
6
“We need the support of OIA, especially about
Affairs (OIA)
requirements of Visas and some cultural
questions”
“A step-by-step overview of whole process and
what is involved for students. We are expected to
know everything about the steps and processes
without the benefit of training.”
Knowledge of the Process
4
“Faculty and staff need to be educated on
Students go Through
international affairs process with incoming
students as well as what it means from an
international students perspective to be new to the
US Educational system”
Major Themes Summary
• Major Themes:
– Process of Transfer Credit Evaluation
– Knowledge of Policies
– Training Specific to International Students
– Course Selection and Placement
– Student Access to Resources/People
Greatest challenges facing international students
ADVISOR PERSPECTIVE
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Reported student challenges
STUDENT FEEDBACK
Student Demographics
• Undergraduate students
who have attended IUPUI
for at least one semester
and enrolled in Fall 2007
or later
• Three focus groups in
spring 2009
• Ten students total
including one graduate
student
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• Represented majors
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Business
Mathematics
Computer Information Technology
International Studies
Communication Studies
Pre-Nursing
• University College Students (N=4)
• Participated in Learning
Communities (N=8)
• Represented Countries
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Saudi Arabia
India
Germany
China
Benin
Qatar
Korea
Niger
Major Themes Summary
• Data Analysis, coded by response
• Major Themes:
– Financial issues
• Information about scholarships
• Difficulty in finding a campus job
• Work authorization
– Course placement
• Secondary Themes
– Transfer credit evaluation
– Meeting with the same advisor
– Living needs
– Learning community feedback
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Comparison
Differences
• Financial importance
• Course
placement/registration
• Understanding university
policies
Similarities
• Course
placement/registration
• Transfer credit evaluation
• Cultural competency and
communication
• Student access to
resources and people
• Living needs
• Learning community
importance
Students expect many things out of their academic advisors
IN OUR EXPERIENCE….
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What do you think students want from
their academic advisor?
In our experience…
Student Expectations for Academic
Advisors
• May expect advisor to tell them what to take,
rather than be given choices and expected to
make the ultimate decision.
• May wish to build a relationship with one
particular advisor, rather than meet with
whoever is available.
• May expect that negotiation and exceptions to
rules are a normal part of the advising process.
In our experience…
Perceived Student Expectations for
Academic Advisors
• May expect advisor to help them find a job.
• May expect that academic advisors be aware of
all of the special rules that apply to international
students.
• May expect that help will be offered, without
having to directly request it.
• May not be willing to contradict or disagree with
advisor, because advisor is an authority figure.
Recommendations
Educate advisors throughout the year
How?
• Offer workshops:
– basics of enrollment requirements and limitations
– overview of the process students undertake to come to the US
• Invite advisors to attend your international orientation.
• Explain any checks-and-balances your school has in place to
keep students in status.
• Share information about other campus offices that have special
knowledge of the needs of international students.
Recommendations
Educate students at orientation and beyond
How?
• Explain the role of Academic Advisors, and what
they will expect from students.
• Explain that ultimate responsibility for status lies with
students.
• Make aware of other resources on campus.
Recommendations
Make resources available
How?
• Create a webpage that explains the Transfer Credit
Procedure. (See example)
• Create an easy-to-use reference sheet or webpage to
explain basic enrollment requirements. (See example)
• Share International Student Handbook with advisors.
(See example)
• Remind advisors they can always contact the international
office directly with any questions.
Recommendations
Collaborate on tricky topics
How?
• Work together to identify courses appropriate for
enrollment before placement tests are done.
• Work together to encourage the creation of more nonwork study jobs on campus.
• Identify liaisons among academic and international
advisors to meet regularly to identify new issues and
needs.
Recommendations
Evaluate
How?
• Survey your academic advisors once per year
to determine where they feel they need
additional training and support.
• Ask your academic advisors to identify
convenient (and inconvenient) times of year to
offer this training.
Recommendations
Advertise
How?
• Take advantage of opportunities to talk to
departments about your services.
• Hold an Open House and invite academic advisors to
meet International Office staff.
• If your school has an advising listserv, send out an
email at the beginning of each semester reminding
advisors of the services available from the
International Office. If not, create your own contacts.
QUESTIONS?
Acknowledgments
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Michelle Hansen, Director of Assessment
Cathy Buyarski, Sarah Baker - University College
Brooke Watson
Eric Williams and Betsy Trees
Sandi Lemons, Jennifer Nisevich, Sara Allaei Office of International Affairs
• Nathan Byrer
• Barbara Lingle
• All students and advisors
Sources
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Academic Affairs: Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Dean of Faculties
(2008, February). IUPUI Academic Plan. Retrieved April 25, 2008, from IUPUI,
Office of Academic Affairs website:
http://www.iupui.edu/administration/acad_affairs/actionplan/academic_plan_final
.pdf
Institute of International Education (2004, November 10). Open Doors Report on
International Educational Exchange [Electronic version]. Retrieved May 11, 2008,
from http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/?p=50137
Institute of International Education (2008, November 17). Open Doors Report on
International Educational Exchange [Electronic version]. Retrieved April 25, 2009
from http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/?p=131590
Office of International Affairs, IUPUI (2010). 2010 International Enrollment Report
[PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved October 25, 2010 from
http://international.iupui.edu/campus/enrollment-report.pdf.
Office of the Vice President for International Affairs (2008, March). Indiana
University International strategic plan. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Office of
Creative Services.
US Academic System. Office of International Affairs, IUPUI. Retrieved May 9, 2008
from http://www.iupui.edu/~oia/AD/system.html